Emily Thornberry appointed to shadow Brexit role in mini-reshuffle

Labour has confirmed new responsibilities for several Shadow Cabinet ministers, following the creation of new departments in Theresa May’s Cabinet reshuffle last week.

Emily Thornberry has been appointed to shadow Tory David Davis in the newly-created Cabinet role of Brexit minister. Thornberry will carry out these duties alongside her current role of Shadow Foreign Secretary.

Labour also said this afternoon that Jeremy Corbyn has given Barry Gardiner and Jon Trickett the shared role of Shadow Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, going up against Greg Clark. The two will carry out these responsibilities alongside their other roles.

There had been some concerns that Labour would struggle to fill the roles, and the decision to have Emily Thornberry take on two big roles has brought some criticism, with leadership challenger Owen Smith pledging that he would ensure that the Brexit an Foreign Affairs positions would have separate roles in a Shadow Cabinet of his.